#also hu tao and venti friendship

[rosemary-bells]

rly love how the energy of the lantern rite epilogue is just everyone going "what the F*ck, hu tao"

[lilyandthegenshinbrainrot]

So the funniest thing about "Venti" and "Zhongli" meeting was how Zhongli kept trying to praise and give recognition to Venti for his wit or his work, but Venti brushed it off and gave backhanded compliments. Venti continuously talks about how he clearly doesn't know Zhongli or anything about him, so his comments about the man are based in rumors alone.

But also, he's totally aware of all he is stirring up, and his poem clearly reflects that.

It stresses both Xiao and the Traveler out because neither God is saying quite what they really mean and all the subtext between their conversation is lost on them. Xiao comments that when the adepti would meet in the past, there was no question what anyone meant, but tonight he was struggling and it was disheartening to him.

I think Zhongli was trying to express that he didn't know how to talk to or face Barbatos, as he did by "ignoring the sound of the wind," and claiming that "it was difficult to tell where anyone was during Lantern Rite", but he kept calling Venti "new friend," and "esteemed bard", and most tellingly, amiable.

Friendly.

Venti does not acknowledge the title of being a new friend, and to further distance himself, calls Zhongli by "Mr. Zhongli," implying a formal distance!! All the while denying any knowledge or connection that they might have had before.

He then easily interacts with Hu Tao, and befriends her instantaneously!! He talks about meeting with Xiao and playing for him, talking with him on an extremely casual and easy way. Which is notable bc of Xiao's solitary. He even talks about being acquainted with Xingqiu, and how they grew close at a festival over shared love for literature.

And then, most obvious of all, Zhongli was going to listen to Hu Tao's desire to accompany Traveler, Xiao, and Venti home but Venti immediately refused Mr. ZHONGI and said he was going to meet a FRIEND. But if the Traveler wants to come find him, he's quite sure they know where he will be. And Venti leaves them.

Isn't that just a slap in the face? That was such a clear dismissal of Zhongli and it was brutal. Zhongli then says neither Traveler or Xiao needs his protection, and he will be walking alone before meeting with the director again.

I don't think this was the interaction anyone was really quite expecting with these two, and I also don't think this was Venti telling Zhongli that he wanted nothing to do with his friendship. I think Venti is a little shit who is rightfully upset with an old friend, and he wants Zhongli to acknowledge that by killing Morax, Barbatos has no ties to Zhongli.

Where they will be going forward? Who's to say?

The wind stops for nothing, and the stone is firm in its foundation.

[gffa]

I’ve been playing GENSHIN IMPACT for over a year now and reading a bit of fic here and there, mostly of the Tartali and Zhongli&Venti variety, but then Sumeru hit and oh hey Alhaitham is an amazing unit in a quickbloom team and then Kaveh hurricaned his way into my heart and oh no suddenly I was in love and absolutely tearing my way through every bit of Haikaveh I could get my hands on because christ there’s no way Hoyoverse isn’t writing them that way on purpose. I mean, I’m already a sucker for Old Married Couple type bickering, but then you give me the undercurrent of how much they genuinely mean to each other? How much Alhaitham is genuinely caring about how self-destructive Kaveh is? How Kaveh just absolutely will not shut up about Alhaitham, even the other characters are like “You talk about him so much that it’s like he’s been here with us all night.”? Yeah, of course I fell in love. So, here, cry about a gacha game having beautifully designed characters with just the right types of personality and funny banter that know how to knock me the fuck out with both delight and genuine feelings about idiots in love. Or just old elemental grandpas who annoy the shit out of each other because they’re both several millennia old and nobody else understands their weird friendship. I’m having a great time and I’m going to make that everyone else’s problem. GENSHIN IMPACT - CHILDE IS 10000% CASUALLY UNHINGED OF COURSE HE WANTS TO NOT JUST FIGHT A GOD, HE WANTS TO FUCK A GOD: ✦ Set in Stone by seredemia, childe/zhongli & childe’s family, 115.4k wip      What do you do when you write about a certain six thousand year old consultant so much in your letters that it somehow convinces your entire family you’re not only dating each other, but that you’re also engaged? In Childe’s case, the answer is plain and simple: he goes along with it, of course. Absolutely nothing can go wrong if he makes a contract with the God of Contracts, vowing that the two of them will pretend to be lovers for the duration of his family’s stay in Liyue. Afterwards, they’ll return as normal and speak no more of this mess. No feelings or complications involved whatsoever. ✦ the wind through the mountain tops by glassdrachma, childe/zhongli & venti, 25.5k      Boredom brings Barbatos of Mondstadt to bother a certain ex-Archon of the Earth. ✦ my faceless self, alone by recursion, childe/zhongli & guizhong, 7.2k      There is one lone glaze lily left, shining brilliant blue in the depths of Dihua Marsh. Zhongli kneels over it as Xiao looks on. “The contract is fulfilled,” he whispers. He takes his mask off with trembling fingers and sets it aside. The blood that stains it seeps into the ground, turning it rust-red. “That which thou seeketh is now bestowed unto thee, for my promise is solid as stone.” (Zhongli, in the before and after.) ✦ more espresso, less depresso by birdsofpassage, childe/zhongli & ningguang & xingqiu & chongyun, coffeeshop au, 5.3k      There’s a quaint little coffee shop that catches Childe’s eye as soon as soon as he arrives into town. The man that works inside is more exhilarating than any drink Childe has ever tasted. ✦ passing afternoon by bearbearer, childe/zhongli, NSFW, 1.3k      Zhongli just came, really. He just broke into his office with a white loose robe hanging from his shoulders, skin exposed like a gift, and two glasses of fine wine in his hands. There was a smile on his lovely red lips, while they moved around cloying words. “Are you amenable for a rest?” And everything was warm as he approached, because how could Zhongli not— He wouldn’t have a rest at all. ✦ the consultant’s kidnapping by glassdrachma, childe/zhongli & hu tao & cloud retainer & xiao & ganyu & keqing & cast, 19.2k      The Traveller isn’t able to stop Cloud Retainer from seeking revenge on Liyue Harbor. Zhongli is, however. Sort of. ✦ if i choose not to see it, it does not exist by inareese, childe/zhongli, 5.1k      Zhongli might as well have just straight up told Childe. He absolutely refuses to think too hard about it. or Tartaglia’s accidental guide to why Zhongli is most definitely a hundred percent not Rex Lapis. There is nothing suspicious to see here. ✦ A New Mission by Kuranoa, childe/zhongli, NSFW, 2.8k      “Sensei, have you ever bedded anyone?” Childe asks, chin resting on his hand while he observes the flawlessly elegant way Zhongli drinks from his teacup. “I have not.” The Archon answers just as frankly, not even batting a lash. “Would you like to?” ✦ Trial And Success by woahiohioh, childe/zhongli, NSFW, read the tags, 6.7k      Or: Childe asks Zhongli if he can tie him up and they both discover they’re into some things they didn’t know about beforehand. ✦ C.P.R. by silverid, childe/zhongli, NSFW, read the tags, 3.3k      It’s something straight out of Childe’s fantasies. “Don’t worry, xiansheng.” he chokes out. “I’ll show you.” Zhongli’s eyes go half-lidded. “Well then. Direct me.” GENSHIN IMPACT - LET ROCK GRANDPA’S FRIENDS BULLY HIM IT’LL BE SO FUNNY: ✦ rex lapis is totally undeniably dead! by arataka, zhongli & hu tao, 1.7k      when zhongli comes into her office and tells her, “rex lapis is dead” paired with the most serious face she’s ever seen him wear, hu tao laughs at him. GENSHIN IMPACT - YOU EVER LOVE SOMEONE SO MUCH YOU WANT TO PUNCH THEM IN THE FACE? YEAH THAT’S HAIKAVEH: ✦ handle with care by smallghosts, alhaitham/kaveh, 2.4k      Kaveh may be a thorn in Alhaitham’s side, but he’s his favorite one. ✦ Slip of the Tongue by LONEMOON, alhaitham/kaveh & cyno, NSFW, 9.6k      Kaveh is inflicted by a curse that makes him only able to tell the truth. For someone who’s fairly honest and wears his heart on his sleeve, this shouldn’t be a big deal, right? Unfortunately, he has some feelings he’d like to keep hidden… ✦ theory and practice by alcyonenight, alhaitham/kaveh, 3.9k      Kaveh falls ill. Alhaitham works through some things. ✦ too many nights by effervescentskies, alhaitham/kaveh, 4.8k      Kaveh keeps coming back home drunk in the middle of the night. Alhaitham is not pleased. ✦ itni khafa nahin by solarclimes, alhaitham/kaveh, 2.4k      Rtawahist scholars have a curious theory about parallel worlds, where the stars of a person’s constellation are weaved in slightly different ways, creating an infinite number of universes where they make different choices, lead different lives. He had told Al-Haitham about it once, who had declared it outlandish and based on pure conjecture, but Kaveh had found the idea interesting. Perhaps, then, there exists a world, where Kaveh’s life isn’t so at odds with him. Where Kaveh can reach out in this moment and pull Al-Haitham into his arms. ✦ inertia by smallghosts, alhaitham/kaveh, 3.6k      A drunken confession is all it takes to set the inertia of their non-relationship into motion. ✦ Opposites Attract by LavastormSW, alhaitham/kaveh, NSFW, 3k      Alhaitham returns home after a long day commentating on and wrapping up the Akademiya Extravaganza, only to find Kaveh waiting for him… ✦ truck, barter, and trade by Seungshi03, alhaitham/kaveh & wanderer & nahida, 13.3k      Or: Al-Haitham is, without a doubt, the most annoying person Kaveh knows. Maybe the world’s second-most annoying person can help Kaveh figure him out. ✦ I’ll keep your brittle heart warm by clouds_hide, alhaitham/kaveh & nilou & traveler, 3.2k      Or: The Inter-Darshan Championship brings out the problems they don’t talk about. They really need to talk. ✦ i’ve been loving you for quite some time, time, time by creativedisaster, alhaitham/haikaveh, NSFW, 4.7k      After spending the week talking about his plans to move out, Kaveh’s not entirely sure he can face dealing with Alhaitham now he’s staying. But the bad thing about living together - he has to go home sometime. - OR - Alhaitham has some truth for Kaveh that he might not be ready for. ✦ knocking is a wonderous invention by dearwormwood, alhaitham/kaveh & cyno/tighnari, 2.8k      Four times Tighnari and Cyno think they walk in on Alhaitham and Kaveh in compromising positions, and one time they actually do. ✦ sunbird by caniculeo, alhaitham/kaveh & cyno & tighnari & nilou & kaveh’s mother & cast, 19.1k      This is how Kaveh grows up—well-loved and loving, with a pencil in his hand and starlight in his eyes. This is how he grows up, until his father leaves for the desert one day, and never comes back. ✦ you put the ‘fun’ into dysfunction by emigmatic, alhaitham/kaveh, NSFW, 3.7k      His dream was not a dream. It was real. “Oh.” “Is that all you have to say? Oh?” Kaveh presses, but he relents after studying his junior for a moment. His eyebrows draw together and a slight frown takes up residence on his face. “You…why do you look so surprised that I want to talk about how we just had sex?” ✦ diesel is desire (you were playing with fire) by clouds_hide, alhaitham/kaveh & cyno, NSFW, 6.7k      Kaveh on his back, his blonde hair splayed across the white sheets, his entire chest flushed from arousal, is the most beautiful sight in the world. Even if Alhaitham lives through a thousand samsaras, he will never forget this. ✦ modus vivendi by katraa, alhaitham/kaveh, NSFW, 3.5k      Kaveh has a sprained wrist, his roommate is insufferable, and said roommate knows how to take someone’s mind off the pain. Or, they finally stop dancing around the subject and bang. ✦ That’s The Way I Loved You by rewmariewrites, alhaitham/kaveh & cyno & tighnari & cast, NSFW, 16.9k      Tighnari rolls his eyes and turns back to Kaveh. “You didn’t answer my question,” Tighnari says, like he thinks Kaveh is an idiot. Kaveh rolls his eyes right back. “No, we’re not dating.” ✦ argumentative, antithetical dream girl by clouds_hide, alhaitham/kaveh & cyno & tighnari, NSFW, 6.8k      Or: Kaveh attempts to have no-strings-attached sex with his roommate. There are so many strings attached, he might as well be a marionette. GENSHIN IMPACT - THAT ONE SCENE OF VENTI BEING AN ANNOYING BASTARD AT XIAO WAS ENOUGH TO CONVERT ME TO SHIPPING THEM: ✦ carried by the wind by underfallingflowerpetals, venti/xiao, 1.7k      Or: Xiao isn’t used to being taken care of, but Venti is nothing if not persistent.

[kanonavi]

Something that will never cease to rot my brain is just how brilliantly mhy have developed Xiao's character over the past three years. I'm lucky enough to have started playing Genshin before he was added to the game (which does of course mean newer players have probably had a different experience of him, I'll get into that later) so I've been there for every single moment that Xiao appeared and it's always so amazing to me just how much effort has been put into him. (Long rant and Mild Spoilers for the Poetry Gala Event below lol)

Xiao in the Archon quest and in 1.3 (both in his character quest and 1.3 Lantern Rite) compared to Xiao in the most recent event is truly like night and day, and what's most impressive about that is that how he acts in the poetry event feels completely true to his character. Xiao has earned this gentleness over the past three years, as the traveler but also the other people he's met have urged him to open up and interact with others more often.

This really couldn't have been achieved without mhy taking advantage of every scrap of screen time Xiao has gotten. They absolutely have favorites and Xiao is for sure one of them. I'll use Moonchase as a comparison to the Poetry Gala. Back then we saw Xiao on screen for maybe 5 minutes at most, appearing because the traveler called him, tasting Xiangling's dish and giving her a compliment (at least for his standards for giving compliments) and then disappearing. But now we see him at the poetry event being invited to join by Venti and Hu Tao (and him not outright refusing!!), and then staying to socialize with Chongyun's group when everyone (not just the traveler) asks him to.

3.4 Lantern Rite and the Poetry Gala have felt like the biggest steps due to the fact that we see Xiao actively participating in activities of his own volition. Most of his appearances before 3.4 (and even after, counting Baizhu's quest) are dictated by about 2.5 factors. The first is his duty: protecting Liyue from evil, more specifically keeping its people safe from these evils. The second is being called by the traveler, an act which I would consider a symbol of their friendship later on, but in the beginning and probably still in a lingering capacity now I think can be attributed to a sense of debt towards them. They helped save Liyue in a time of crisis, after having no obligation to do so, and someone like Xiao who takes his duties in protecting Liyue so seriously would absolutely feel like he owes a complete outsider like the traveler a debt after they kinda did his job for him. So much of Xiao's character is about debts, after all. That even ties into the 2.5th reason, where he would probably feel some obligation to appear at Lantern Rite because Zhongli would be there, though it's unclear if Hu Tao mentioned he would be so it might not even count in that case.

Now we see Xiao participating in events on the invitation of Hu Tao and Venti who are seeking him out because they see him as a friend. We see him taking not only the traveler's feelings into account when asked to participate, but also Chongyun and Diona's. It's such a far cry from his "I don't associate with mortals" attitude that we saw back in 2021.

That barely even touches the shift we've seen in his demeanor either. Back in 2021, Xiao always spoke very curtly and in as few words as possible, always seeming displeased any time he had to hold a conversation, but now he's loosened up so much that the difference is honestly staggering. It even shows through in his birthday letters from 2021 vs. 2023 (And even here we see him going out of his way to socialize of his own volition, so proud of him!):

I've gone back and forth between EN and CN voiceovers in the past year, so some of Xiao's appearances I've only experienced in CN, but hearing him in the Poetry Gala event in EN I can only give his voice actress a thousand kudos for how amazing her performance is. Xiao's voice has softened with time, and it's such a small detail, but I honestly think that it's what hammers his growth home more than anything else for me. He's not only willing to have full conversations with people he's less familiar with now, but he also doesn't feel the need to speak as harshly to them either, and that's really amazing to hear play out in the game.

Xiao's voicelines are so fascinating to me for that very reason, because they act as a time capsule for how he was back in 2021, and that's just not what he sounds like anymore. Obviously, voice actors' performances of their characters will shift with time but Xiao is the only character for which I can say that his demeanor really has just changed with time. Of course, I think that in some cases this does actually make sense, namely if a newer player pulls Xiao and has only gotten to experience the Archon Quest and maybe his Character Quest. In that case, all of the time that has passed simply doesn't exist. But at the same time I can only imagine how funny it would be for a long-time player who simply never pulled Xiao for one reason or another to pull him and listen to his lines and hear his older, edgier self lol

Though on that note I do also need to point out the biggest downside of all of this, and what is perhaps my greatest sadness about Xiao's character development, which is that new Genshin players simply won't have the chance to experience it. There are many characters who get the short end of the stick with the nature of Genshin's serialized storytelling and limited-time events (Albedo, Kazuha, and a plethora of 4 stars who don't get featured much, just to name a few), but I think Xiao's actually saddens me the most, because I believe the time that has passed is the greatest strength when it comes to this development. People will get to see his arc from the Archon Quest to Perilous Trail (and thank god they preserved Perilous Trail as an Interlude), but even that is still a shadow of Xiao's actual progression over the years.

These days, newer Genshin players may have only seen Xiao in the Liyue Archon Quest before playing the Poetry Gala event (unless Perilous Trail is a prereq, which I don't know off the top of my head), and I can't even imagine how jarring it would be to see how he acts there and then immediately see him in this event. The way that time works in this case would probably just make it seem like mhy doesn't know what they're doing with Xiao when in reality three years of development have been compressed into a matter of weeks. Knowing that, I'm grateful to have been able to experience his story in its truest form, but it also cannot go unacknowledged that some aspects of Genshin's story have a shorter shelf life than others. It's a major problem with the game, from some perspectives, but at the same time it's just a consequence of how it's being developed.

Anyway, I just needed to gush after seeing Xiao absolutely steal the show in part 2 of the quest with his quiet participation and little smile (crying). He's so good and I love him so much, and it's so nice to see what they've done with him after he finally got some semblance of closure after Perilous Trail <3

[yourlocallyneysimp]

Toilet Ghost?! 1/2

Genshin Boys x Hanako!Reader

A/n: To celebrate the reboot coming out soon! This is also a remake of an old post. I hope you like it!~

Characters: Lyney, Bennett, Xiao, Venti, Scaramouche, Aether, +HuTao

Lyney ♡

Pretty amazing duo. You both would get along really well, especially with the magic stuff!

Even though you don't know much about magic, Lyney would still try to show you small tricks!

Expect to be featured in future performances. (He doesn't realize people can't see you) He has to show the whole world that he has the best companions!

You both would also get into trouble a lot. Pranks, accidents, tricks, they're all really common. Flirting competitions are also a thing and Lynette has had enough of it.

He doesn't care if you're a ghost. After all, you're his best friend. (Soon to be lover)

Bennett ♡

Pretty interesting friendship, but also very cute.

Bennett keeps getting himself into trouble because of his luck, and you protect him.

I would say that Bennett made a wish of having an adventure team instead of getting rid of his bad luck. It confused you, but you told him that you would be the first member of his little team.

And just like that, a new friendship formed!

He apologizes a lot since you're the one always saving him. You know it's not his fault, so you always reassure him that everything's fine. After all, you haven't had this much fun in decades.

When he realizes that you're a ghost, he finds it pretty cool, but also upsetting. If you were a ghost, then that means you died, right..?

He won't ask for the details, but he still wonders every now and then.

Xiao ♡

He admires your strength.

Although he finds you to be mostly annoying, he still likes to watch you fight.

He previously couldn't touch you, but because he made some sort of 'bond' with you, he's able to make physical contact with you.

He would push you away at first, but eventually he won't mind your presence. He won't bother asking about your background and you wouldn't ask about his.

Even though one of you is way louder than the other, it's still a pretty silent friendship since you both secretly understand each other.

Venti ♡

Best friendship ever.

You both would never shut up.

Diluc has had enough of the both of you, but you both don't care. If you add Lyney to this small group, then you three would be unstoppable!

Even though you both like pulling pranks on Diluc and Paimon, you still both have small moments of peace.

For example, there are times when both of you just sit in silence, accompanied by each other's presence.

Sometimes it happens during night at Windrise when the both of you are thinking about past experiences. Even so, you both feel comforted that someone is there to understand.

He also doesn't care that you're a ghost. To be honest, he thinks you're more human than anything.

Scaramouche ♡

He can't stand you.

You helped him out once when a bunch of treasure hoarders were trying to rob him. Even though he could've handled it himself, he still enjoyed watching you fight them.

BUT, just because you helped him once does not mean you could follow him around!

He wouldn't listen to you as you talk about 'stupid topics'. Right now he wanted to be alone, but you weren't granting him that wish.

He tried attacking you, but that didn't really help since you're a ghost. How annoying.

Eventually, he gives up. He let's you follow him since he knew yelling at you wasn't going to solve anything.

Even though he would give you the silent treatment, slowly and eventually he would start coming around.

He would mumble a few words here and there, but in your eyes, it's still progress!

Aether ♡

You remind him a lot of Hu Tao.

He is not bothered by you since he deals with a lot of different people throughout the day, but someone doesn't appreciate your presence.

Paimon always tells you to stop following them, but Aether always defends you, saying that she follows him too.

He will hide you from Hu Tao, though, since he knows that she would probably try to 'put you away.'

He doesn't believe that you could make wishes come true, but he still tries it anyway.

"I want to find my sister."

You were caught off guard by the serious request since you weren't expecting him to say something like that.

When you find out he also has a twin, it reminds you of your own. Oh, how you wish you had a strong sibling bond like Aether and Lumine...

+Hu Tao ♡

Even though the both of you have similar personalities, Hu Tao gives you the Qiqi treatment.

She tries to help you cross over, which in her eyes is a generous thing to do, but you can't leave this world just yet! You still have so much to do.

You just hope that she will eventually understand that.

And also free Qiqi..

Bye!~

[ilovelyneysm07]

Welcome! (Navigation)

(Finally making an intro for this account lmao)

About me !!

Name: Lin or Javier Pronouns: They/them Gender: Transmasc Sexuality: AroAce Nationality: Chilean Hazbin Hotel OC

Other stuff about this thing !!

multifandom (kinda)

i write for genshin impact (mainly lyney), hazbin hotel and honkai: star rail (mainly ratio)

i'm sleep deprived

♾ and 🏳‍🌈

i write mainly gn readers, but i can write for fem and masc readers.

i'm one of those people that when they feel down they want to delete everything, so if i don't respond for a while, it's because i feel like deleting everything (i won't tho)

i like chocolate milk.

im a really self indulgent writer.

also, i do mostly platonic requests (qpr or just friendship), but romantic requests are also allowed :3

i dont do nsfw or gore, makes me uncomfortable.

Masterlist

(♥ - Platonic)

SAGAU Stuff with my Favorite Characters (Includes: Wanderer, Ei, Heizou, Lyney, Lynette, Freminet, Furina - ♥)

Endless Solo of Solitude - Hazbin Hotel x Furina!Reader ♥ (ONE - TWO)

(SAGAU) Shooting Stars - Lyney x Player (ONE - TWO)

Unwavering Result (2) - Aventurine x Cyborg!Reader (Drabble)

Characters I write for (If I don't mention a character it's because I don't write for them.)

(♥ - Platonic only)

Genshin Impact

Mondstadt: Albedo, Amber, Bennett (♥), Diluc, Eula, Fischl (♥), Jean, Kaeya, Lisa, Mika (♥), Mona, Noelle (♥), Razor (♥), Rosaria, Sucrose, Venti.

Liyue: Baizhu, Beidou, Chongyun (♥), Gaming (♥), Ganyu, Hu Tao, Keqing, Ningguang, Shenhe, Xiangling (♥), Xianyun, Xiao, Xingqiu (♥), Xinyan (♥), Yanfei, Yelan, Yun Jin (♥), Zhongli.

Inazuma: Arataki Itto, Gorou, Kazuha, Ayaka, Ayato, Kirara (♥), Kujou Sara, Kuki Shinobu, Ei, Kokomi, Heizou, Thoma, Yae Miko, Yoimiya.

Sumeru: Alhaitham, Candace, Collei (♥), Cyno, Dehya, Faruzan, Kaveh, Layla, Nilou, Tighnari, Wanderer (♥).

Fontaine: Charlotte (♥), Chevreuse, Freminet (♥), Furina, Lynette, Lyney, Navia, Neuvilette.

Hazbin Hotel

Hell: Alastor (♥), Angel Dust (only gn or masc), Charlie Morningstar, Husk, Lilith (why not, muehehe), Lucifer Morningstar, Niffty (♥), Vaggie (only gn or fem), Sir Pentious.

Heaven: Emily (♥), Lute, Sera (♥).

Honkai: Star Rail

Almost all of them, the kids are strictly platonic (duh)

[welcometoteyvat]

can i ask why you don't like xingyun? /gen not a shipper myself but i'm just curious since a lot of chongyun lovers love that ship, i've never seen anyone NOT like it

rant warning by the way, I accidentally got more and more annoyed writing this 😬

im gonna be honest the number one reason is because i see it everywhere

the first effect of this is that content depicting xingqiu and chongyun in a nonromantic manner get tagged as xing/yun, which is annoying to me. you can draw 2 characters together in a nonromantic manner and you don't have to tag the ship guys. it's real it's called being friends. the second effect is that there's never any content with chongyun and Other Characters. people are so hung up on him and xingqiu that chongyun almost never exists without xingqiu. like you might notice i have a tag for chongyun and hu tao (mostly platonic) stuff except that there are only 7-8 posts tagged with that, because although the "exorcist and girl who can see ghosts" dynamic would be so cool, nobody seems to think abt that bc almost everything with chongyun includes xingqiu. this also goes for chongyun and xiangling (who canonically makes him his cooling popsicles) and like random other characters whom he Could interact with and be friends with (ayaka and him is a crack friendship i talked about once, and ofc chongyun and xiao). i hate it. xingqiu got his mr worldwide arc with venti and albedo please depict chongyun alone with other friends (it literally doesn't even have to be romantic). of course, this might just be a separate problem that I'm conflating with the ship, but it annoys me. i'm not focusing on xingqiu's side because although fan content for like idk him and yun jin? him and hu tao? albedo? is also super rare, at least that stuff exists in canon.

the second reason is because xingqiu's prankster attitude towards chongyun annoys me

yeah i love my little shit son but idk, it's just annoying when people make him feed chongyun spicy food, play pranks on him that cost chongyun Something (losing face, wasted time, frustration) idk. i guess i don't like that his condition isn't taken seriously. i don't think it's bad to have friends who pull your leg but at least not in a malicious way? like iirc he's implied to have triggered chongyun's yang energy overflows at least a couple times, and it's like . why. why is it played for jokes the kid literally passes out. "(He) needs more practice. Especially… with eating spicy food, haha." bro please do not !! don't trigger his condition just for kicks! xingqiu's other pranks also annoy me, given that i hate being tricked, so some of this might be projection or smth idk, but like idk you can give him good suggestions for where to demon hunt instead of making up shit and then going after him to make up for any costs. it's just annoying i think chongyun gets annoyed but then later forgives him, as friends are, but i cannot imagine them getting together like this. unless it's toxic idk . if they're friends i can give a pass to the pranks and stuff but in a romantic relationship i don't think i could see this kind of dynamic being a good one

[halovianed]

special genshin trios

mona scara albedo (stars and fate)

collei tighnari cyno (literally too many things for me to list)

collei wanderer nahida (rebirth & forging of paths)

venti hu tao xiao (humanity and death)

lyney lynette freminet (found family)

scara signora childe (original antagonists)

chongyun xingqiu xiangling (friendship :-))

benny razor fischl (also friendship :-))

diluc kaeya jean (Crepus Narrative Haunting)

[the-gayest-sky-kid]

scaradew valley concepts because ive decided while we're at it. yknow

as ive mentioned before the fatui is basically joja. childe runs the fatui mart. its great

i dont know who owns pierres store but it has to be someone as equally bad as him. somebody suggest a character you could fuck over with ease and no regrets

venti is there. idk what hes doing but he is. definitely the wizard fill in but a lot more involved in the town. like heavily involved. hes close with nahida which is why he keeps bothering scara.

haitham and kaveh are still "roommates". kavehs the town carpenter like robin and haitham works at the library part of the museum.

mehrak is still real and the weird result of wizard magic + kavehs own intelligence. don't question it.

mika is apprenticing at the adventures guild and mapping out the mines

through a certain number of friendships scara may learn that kavehs adopted mika, and that mika is also very close to the wizard in the tower. because you can tear these away from my cold dead hands

diluc runs the saloon as expected. his family also owns the ranch. kaeya runs the ranch. you're welcome

amber works at the ranch during the summer

baizhu is the town doctor and lives there with his daughter qiqi. tighnari is his assistant.

childe is neighbors with madame ping (which means also her grandchild yaoyao and grandniece xiangling + father). they hate him

zhongli owns the museum and lives there with... relative of some sort hu tao. to be honest haitham does not like him personally. he also knows a weird amount about that suspicious wizard.

cyno tighnari and daughter collei live near the ranch. cynos another member of the adventures guild. hehe. collei is going to school outside the valley but she comes by during the latter half of spring + summer.

albedo works at the museum too. he lives at the beach with klee so he lets beidou and kazuha babysit her a lot. him and cyno meet up on fridays. scara thinks theres something up with him

beidou and son kazuha own the fishing shop. ningguang wins the mayoral election in year 2. xinyan is also their daughter and has a band with hu tao xingqiu and yun jin.

xingqiu and yun jin are related now. dont question it.

cloud retainer shenhe ganyu and chongyun are a household. ganyu is still ningguangs secretary.

keqing is deputy mayor

i dont remember if theres a post office but there is now. aethers the town mailman and lumine works at the fatui mart. if befriended she quits her job and starts working at the post office with aether. regardless they live together with paimon and theyre fine 👍👍👍

jean runs the post office. smth smth dandelion hotline joke.

kokomi and gorou run the adventures guild. i can at least do that for her

itto and shinobu run the blacksmith. for funsies.

[mccnstruck]

archon, venti, vision, freedom, delusion, adventurers guild, guizhong, rex lapis, barbara, sakura blooms, lantern rite, ganyu and dainsleaf <3

hi alyssa !!!!

archon, venti, freedom, guizhong is answered here <3

vision: if you were visionless, how would you compensate for the lack elemental boost? pure skill and wit or would you invest in some premium fatui-made delusions…

OOO ok i would say pure skill and wit. but im very easily tempted to give up, and if someone offered a delusion, i wouldnt be opposed.. 🤫

delusion: what are your genshin unpopular opinions?

not necessarily a opinion but im 85 percent sure childe is going to be killed..listen he has so many death flags and IT WOULD BE SO- (gets booed)

adventurer’s guild: which genshin group would you align yourself with?

i think i would fit with xinyan, hu tao, chongyun, xingqiu and xiangling !! i love their friendship, its so nice to get content with them

rex lapis: what’s your favorite cultural aspect of each of the released nations?

i love the culture of sumeru (mainly cuz its closest to me) but i also love the culture in Liyue. i cant say too much about the cultures cuz idk how to explain, but i love Liyue and Sumeru a lot for this.

barbara: you’re a tourist traveling teyvat, which locations in the game would you want to visit in person?

hmmmm. either sumeru or liyue becuase of the culture (as said previously). the views are beautiful and high up, theres so much to learn about the history of both of them, and i feel like the architecture of both of them are really nice.

sakura blooms: what is/are your favorite world quest(s) you’ve done?

not necessarily a world quest (cuz currently i cant remember any) but a commission i remember very much is A Boy's Letter, where Draff sends a letter for Timmie to Grace, but can't face Timmie. Turns out, Draff and Timmie's dad used to be best friends, until Timmie's dad was killed in a hunting accident. And when you meet Timmie, he asks you to send his letter to Draff to give to his dad. Ever sice then, I've been a little more kinder to Timmie and not scare his pigeons.

...sometimes.

ganyu: which character’s rerun are you waiting for desperately?

AYAKKKAAAAA. ive been saving (with exception of indulging for wanderer) since kazuhas rerun. she needs to come home.

dainslef: what theory do you have about the lore and the archon’s involvement with the destruction of khaenri'ah

idk too much abt khaenriah lore but i want to think that the archons are somehow more sinister... and that the celestia is somehow trying to stop them. this is not even based by evidence but honestly it would be cool if the archons went to chaos.

[yukihime242]

The Waterborne Poetry event has answered a question, and also sprung up a new question.... Actually, two questions, in my most humble opinion...

Anyway, before I move on, do note that there may be 🚨SPOILERS🚨 for those of you who have, for some reason, not done the event during this period... and also for those of you who may have missed it... best if you go watch the gameplay for this event to know what's going on first...

As we all know, the Waterborne Poetry was a follow-up from the Lantern Rite 2023 event where Venti and Hu Tao planned to have a poetry event together. So, here you go, the Waterborne Poetry was born.

(Picture Source: Genshin Impact thru' Google Image Search)

But, the story doesn't actually only follow up from there, it also follow up from the Endora event back in... 2021, I think? Players who played the event were granted a little Endora Oceanid as their pet.

(Picture Source: Genshin Impact Wiki Fandom thru' Google Image Search)

Just a quick recap, the little Oceanid Endora... actually, I forgot how the Traveler found her... but what I do remember was, like Callirhoe, Endora grew very weak while traveling, and had to latch herself onto some moveable water source... think if memory serves me right, it was a hydro slime.

In order to help little Endora, the Traveler travelled between Mondstadt and Liyue to capture some rogue Oceanid and letting Endora absorb them. By doing so, Endora would be able to regain her strength and her speech should improve a lot.

Part of the event was us finding out that another Oceanid was actually living in the waters of Springvale. At that time, players weren't really sure what to make of the Oceanid existing in Springvale since there was no appearance of this particular Oceanid. Eventually, I think many forgot about it.

Fast forward to the Waterborne event, it was only in this event that it jogged our memory that there was indeed an Oceanid living in Springvale. And that was none other than Callirhoe.

(Picture Source: GoldenBow @ YouTube thru' Google Image Search)

Apart from her main romance with Finch, she did make some friends while living in the waters of Springvale. One of them was our beloved feline, Diona.

(Picture Source: Rock Paper Shotgun thru' Google Image Search)

Because she was touched by their friendship, Callirhoe gave Diona a special ability, that is, to make any drink into a delicious drink no matter what she puts inside.

So... that kinda answers our question about her mixing ability. It's not because she is Mondstadt's version of Xiangling, but because she was blessed by Callirhoe.

But now, that also gives rise to another question which was also addressed by the character himself.

Is Chongyun's pure yang energy a blessing from someone else as well?

(Picture Source: PC Invasion thru' Google Image Search)

I believe we will get a story that is Chongyun-focused to answer that question... if Hoyoverse remembers...

That was the first question. The second question is whether or not Xiao is truly having romantic feelings for the Traveler.

I have covered this in my other post of the list of characters having possible romantic feelings for the Traveler. Not going to details again, there seem to be a hint that Xiao does have some romantic feelings to the Traveler.

It was speculation at first, but a little note on the noticeboard at Wangshu Inn has caused this question to be raised.

Posting only this screenshot so you can go see the rest yourselves :3

Anyway, I hope Hoyoverse will give us the proper closure to all of the romance blossoming in the air... I mean, first, they confirmed that the Lumine X Childe ship is cannon, then they dropped a Lyney having a crush on the Traveler, and now this...

Regardless of who has romantic feelings for the Traveler, I think many players are wanting to see if the Traveler will reciprocate one of them. Who knows? May be we will have an all out war of the various ships involving the Traveler.

[protect-namine]

mika and noelle are soooo endearing. jean puts then on guard duty on a low stakes event (an event that the ANEMO ARCHON HIMSELF is hosting, and jean knows this) so mika and noelle can relax and have fun during their free time (which. again, is inevitable, because venti is RIGHT THERE, he's not gonna let anything happen, jean knows this) but these two are also like. super diligent to the core. and treating the event so earnestly and doing their best but in like, the way a student is trying really hard to ace a class, instead of a tourist casually learning something new for fun. idk they're just very endearing to me

also yayyyy we actually got a follow-up on the hu tao and venti poetry friendship from lantern rite. they're so (nudge nudge, wink wink) at each other but also like. super chill about it (man I missed venti's cn voice, it's so relaxing to listen to)

paimon getting competetive with xingqiu and beefing over riddle points was cute

[scrion7]

waterborne poetry's poetry: 1/?

Alright. We've got an entire event dedicated to my favorite two brats doing poetry together, so of course I'm gonna completely overanalyze them for no reason.

Disclaimer: Venti and Hu Tao are clearly meant and intended to be read as platonic besties. However, that sign cannot stop me from shipping it a little because I am clinically insane for these two. I may be a little biased as a result.

Also note that the original Chinese is extremely likely to have additional meanings that were lost in translation.

Knowing Venti's, uh, Venti-ness, it would not surprise me if this is actually Hu Tao making fun of a specific incident with Drunk Venti. It's a little too specific to be anything else. It could also be a long winded dig at the resident blockhead, by combining Mora with earth in a less than elegant way. Venti would absolutely be amused by that, which may be why she said it.

I love the fact that Hu Tao decides to completely spontaneously jump into verse for basically no reason other than to set up the Traveler to guess that they're doing poetry.

As for the poem itself, a couple lines stand out. "Two's company but three's a crowd" is a fairly common idiom meaning that a third person is unwelcome. In this context, it seems to refers to how the Traveler and Paimon prefer to travel with only each other, which is an odd thing to imply for such a character driven game. It is a distinct possibility that this line is actually about how the Traveller (& Paimon) just butted into Venti and Hu Tao's conversation... but that doesn't make sense considering the two were here to invite Xiao along, which would make Xiao the unwanted third wheel, which doesn't make sense. Especially considering it's heavily implied that they were waiting for the Traveler to come along in order to better convince Xiao. (yes it's also VenTao crumbs but I like HuXiaoVen just as much)

"often at sixes and sevens" is (according to Google) an English idiom meaning confused or disorganized. In this instance, Hu Tao is implying that the Traveler often has no idea what they're doing, which is perfectly in character for gremlin Hu Tao.

'Pieces of eight' is derived from (again according to Google) the Spanish Dollar coin, which could be physically divided into eight pieces for change. It's also heavily associated with pirates, which makes sense paired with "countless other treasures."

"They clearly must have nine lives" is clearly Hu Tao implying the Traveler is a catboy/catgirl, there's obviously no other reason why she said that other than Hu Tao being creepy as per usual.

Paimon: What the... It just gets worse and worse!

Venti: immediately makes it worse.

Sidenote, Venti seamlessly picking up what Hu Tao is putting down is friendship/relationship goals.

As for Venti's side of the poem; "dressed to the nines" is a fairly common idiom meaning that the guests will be in formal outfits, which is a shame considering there weren't any released with the event. Also, by rhyming nines, fine, and wines, Venti is implying that he's gonna be drinking nine fine wines tonight, which is perfectly in character.

"Eight long drinks and seven shorts," combined with those nine wines, does not imply Venti's got seven pairs of pants. In this context, shorts are something similar to a shot, with tall drinks being the opposite.

"Four corners of the world" is another fairly common idiom implying the Traveler has been everywhere which...they haven't yet. Still, 5/7 isn't too bad.

"one speech each" is just a great rhyme, in my opinion. Still, it is odd that Venti's speech has WAY more rhymes that Hu Tao's, although that might just be a cultural difference. Shout out to the localization team for making these poems too!

[part 2 link coming soon (tm)]

[aetheternity]

What are some of your favorite and least favorite genshin ships?

My favorites are the ones I always end up posting I'm a huge

Xiaother/Aexiao (Xiao and Aether) Al Haitham/Cyno (Haino/Cytham) Beigguang (Beidou/Ningguang) Ittosara (Itto/Kujou Sara) Chilumi (Childe/Lumine) fan

For ships I just like though it'd be Jean/Diluc, Kazuha/Scaramouche, Aether/Scaramouche, Albedo/Aether, Kuki/Heizou, Bennett/Fischl, Albedo/Xingqiu, Chongyun/Hu Tao, Zhongli/Guizhong, Eula/Amber, Xingqiu/Xiangling and Gorou/Kokomi. I'm kinda starting to like Kaeya/Dainsleif too.

Ships I hate most people know: Any Venti ships outside of KazuVen (Cause Kazuha is the only character I could see working well with Venti and being good as his partner.)

I hate Cynonari so much it's so boring as a concept: friends to lovers is a lame trope.

I can't stand Xingqiu x Chongyun while I like their dynamic to a degree and I think the ship makes perfect sense I hate how the fandom has made their entire relationship "two gay twinks" 🤢 (They're not even twinks the definition of the word directly contradicts what the fandom keeps saying about them being underage not that I expect Genshin fans to read.)

Razor x Bennett another ship the fandom has ruined. The shippers are rude as hell and they never get called out. Their relationship feels like a friendship nothing about it screams gay.

Kavetham because it feels like the two of them aren't allowed to have their own characters without being called gay and it's exhausting.

Eimiko same reason as Xingyun honestly. Plus I find it hilarious how everyone will call Yayato an "illegal" ship because of the age gap and power imbalance as if Eimiko doesn't suffer from the same fate. Plus Yae was raised by Ei so.. interesting.

Jeanlisa terrible ship name/terrible fans.

Zhongchi most of the fans don't listen to the actual chinese fans when they say that Zhongli giving Childe chopsticks was not an act of love. Also I just think the ship only exists to sexualize both guys as much as possible.

Ittogorou I just ugh I hate this ship it's so overly sexualized like I like gay ships with an abundance of romantic tension. Plus it only exists because of one voiceline and an in game joke that isn't funny and reminds me of why I can't stand Yae.

And the ships I don't like/don't get [just as a sort of bonus]

Scaramona I'm pretty sure it's an enemies to lovers thing but I don't get it.. I know they had an event together I just don't get it..

KokoSara another enemies to lovers my favorite trope but they're so professional with each other I can't find it cute at all.

Alberose they have no chemistry 😐

Ganqing I just find them both so boring that I can't like any ship with either of them.

Zhongxiao I mean I see them as father and son but they're canonically not so yeah they have a good relationship but like.. it wouldn't be very healthy either way.. cause Xiao treats Zhongli as this always correct force above him and it's a little too imbalanced power wise.

Dainlumi I like the dynamic without liking the characters together.

And any ship where they have never had any in game conversations/ have no voicelines for each other. I don't get any of them Childe/Diluc, Jean/Ningguang, Thoma/Diluc all of those I don't get it.

I'm pretty sure after this no one ever has to ask me what ships I like and don't like again.😂

[ac-liveblogs]

Lantern Rite 2023

The first two days were boring as sin. Nothing else to say about them. YaoYao got introduced and vanished, it’s a regular NPC storyline used in place of a playable character, it’s an excuse for another loredump and cares far more about the lore than the characters included, and I don’t care how often I need to say it - there is no point playing “who’s that Adeptus?!” in Liyue when Zhongli would happily answer every possible question anyone could ever have about that subject, and literally any other.

If you want to do mysteries like this, pick any other region, god. Also, please make a better mystery than “Madame Ping played a song this one time. It was a really bitchin’ song. Also a guy almost drowned. GUIZHONG EXISTED!”

Cloud Retainer is sexy now though. That’s cool, I guess. We needed that. Also, I love that every time Shenhe shows up lately she doesn’t know some extremely basic thing. Last time it was flavoured drinks, and this time it’s THE CONCEPT OF MUSIC, despite music being such a huge thing in her quest??? This woman has goldfish brain, I swear.

The epilogue was a little better - no lore dragging us down - and I was surprised (pleased) to see HYV actually picking up on the thread from the Chasm about Xiao needing to socialise more, and seeing him attempting (and struggling) to do so. Xiao is very cute. Nothing else to say. He raises my serotonin levels. I Like Him.

Although, speaking of Xiao, and I’m just throwing this out there - I think this event would’ve been better served if maybe instead of some rando from Fontaine trying to find the magical music playing person from another country that saved an ancestor’s life with breathtakingly beautiful music, we could’ve maybe leveraged the two characters in this event that already have that backstory, and were IN THIS EVENT, BUT WHATEVER. WHAT DO I KNOW-

Anyway, this event was clearly trying to be funny, and while seeing Xiao “?!” “um” “uhhh”ing was cute, the humour is definitely muted by the VA’s restrained performances, and the lack of facial expressions/restricted movements on the 3D models mean any scene always seems a bit slow and underwhelming and can really impact a joke’s delivery. More to the point, HYV really cares far too much about Zhongli’s dignity to be able to capitalise on a skit where both Hu Tao and Venti put a fair amount of effort into mocking him. His straight man routine is sorely lacking.

At the end of the day, it’s 40 minutes of people sitting around a dinner table and a decent chunk of it is “oh I met [x] at [y]!” As always, Genshin needs a script editor to trim the fat.

In terms of character dynamic:

Xiao and Aether’s slowburn romance friendship continues to be adorable, even if the foundation for its intensity is extremely shaky. Despite the fact that the PV wasn’t integrated into this year’s Lantern Rite at all, it did earn some points in my heart.

Chongyun, Xingqiu and Xiangling’s inclusions were mostly to justify the identity shenanigans involving Venti and Zhongli, but they were a bit lost in the scene despite this. The scene always seemed to forget they were there, which is a shame, because Chongyun has very specific beef with Xiao (per his mats) and Xiangling’s cooking should really be leveraged for comedy faaaar more often than it is.

Xiao and Zhongli is about what I would’ve expected it to be. Solid dynamic, no notes.

Hu Tao and Venti get on like a house on fire, which should really cause Zhongli more dread than it does. I did enjoy them burning each other, but again - HYV’s comedy is always a bit slow. Would’ve been great to see Zhongli lose his cool a bit.

It’s a bit sad that my relationship HCs about Xiao and Hu Tao, or Xiao and Venti, weren’t really challenged or confirmed in any real way. Due to Xiao’s dialogue about them in his mats, I’d assumed he’d already met Hu Tao and only knew of Venti, but I see that’s the other way around. Xiao clearly respects Venti a lot (the differing reactions between when you blame either Zhongli or Venti for Xiao’s awkwardness at dinner, plus Xiao’s reverence of Venti’s music, show that), but I don’t really get the sense that the two are “old friends”. If anything, Xiao having Venti as an “old friend” seems kind of odd given what we know of his backstory.

Anyway, I still think Mondstadt wins at festivals overall. Windblume soon!!! Looking forward to that!

[hua-fei-hua]

alright whenever you have time (and also the energy) I would love to hear your thoughts on the lantern rite epilogue! Have a good day <3

we're going to pretend that people following me will care abt genshin 3.4 lantern rite spoilers so we're gonna put my entire deranged mess under a cut hahaha

*gently holds* MY XVS......

truly this lantern rite had EVERYTHING although truth be told, like, the way venti was kind of shoehorned in was a little disappointing. i felt a little bit baited by the way the 3.4 TRAILER HAD THAT ONE CUT RIGHT where it goes from VENTI PLAYING THE LYRE in the harbor to XIAO LOOKING UP AT THE FIREWORKS outside of wangshu inn, and then we see the xiao bit in the actual cutscene on day 2, but absolutely none of venti until the epilogue. and also we never see venti playing the lyre during the event story so it's like. whoever edited that pv absolutely had xv on the brain. like. what the hell was that it was magical i feel higher than a boat right now

BUT ANYWAY like i don't even care how obviously shoehorned in venti felt bc the interactions were all SO PERFECT i love love loved them. i loved the way hu tao just RAN INTO WANGSHU INN and started shouting for xiao, and then talked death to him until he was like "yeah sure i'll go to your dinner". they are so besties i love them their friendship is everything to me.

THE WAY. XV INTERACTED. IN FRONT OF US. xiao just like "well. um. there's this. um. um." TOTAL PANIC MODE n venti had to SAVE HIM with like "huuuh? did you forget already? i'm a bard!" like HELLO why do they need a COVER STORY why are they making up COVER STORIES TOGETHER WHAT WERE THEY DOING TOGETHER IN THE MARSH EARLIER like what kind of GAY SHIT--

also i'm pretty sure when xiao started explaining his relationship to venti, venti fluttered his lashes at him. like, i recorded the whole quest (bc i didn't last year with the final part n i REALLY WISH I HAD bc i STILL remember the dRAMATIC GASP i had when we had that one beiguang moment in the cutscene), and when i rewatched it earlier i was like. "HANG ON. DID HE JUST FLUTTER HIS LASHES" n rewatched it like three times. maybe my game was just stuttering BUT IT DEFINITELY LOOKED LIKE IT and maybe i'll gif it when i get home from work tonight

BUT ANYWAY (2) point is that the expression work this time was ON POINT like whoever's doing all that over at mhy hq needs to get a raise pronto. venti going (¬‿¬) at all the other immortals was so immaculate. you aren't subtle little man!!!

it's probably just shipper goggles on to an extent, but i feel like the xv implications were really strong this time around, with the parallels to that fontch guy's ancestor, and the guiping n everything... i'm kind of disappointed that we don't get to actually hear any of venti's unobstructed thoughts on xiao; like the ribbing n implications at the dinner are a lot of fun (like, they were totally making out in the marsh before dinner. we all know this. it's very clear imo), but it kind of makes me wonder why we can hear xiao like... do his Very Heavy Implying abt venti's importance to him (though again, he doesn't outright say anything-- we know the full extent n depth of xiao's feelings abt venti (romantic or not) bc we can read his character stories, so technically really he hasn't told us jack squat in the current canon timeline), but the best we get from venti are smug expressions. those expressions are very telling, ofc, but a very unhinged part of me wishes that mhy didn't feel the need to wrap up the xv in layers of allegory and metaphor and just outright heard one of them say, "this person is very dear to me." i know it's just the rabid shipper in me, and i need to be sedated, but i was really kind of hoping that we'd see the allegory w/the fontch guy's ancestor n madame ping lifted away at the end n, like, see or hear it be bound to xv outright. just for purely self-indulgent purposes o(--(

but anyway (3) i also love love loved all the playful ribbing, witty banter, and prev event callbacks btwn the characters!! hu tao n venti canonically making a pact to be poetry friends was SO GOOD you just KNOW hu tao is gonna commission venti to compose a JINGLE for wangsheng advertising purposes later, while zhongli n xiao are like, "this meeting never should have happened. we are all doomed." somehow i legitimately forgot that xq n venti know each other from irodori n was like, "...huh?" when xq mentioning knowing venti for like, a FULL two seconds. the way venti was like "damn you know i was right outside this entire time. can you believe the way some people ignore the wind?" n zhongli was like "hahaha (✿◡‿◡) the harbor is very busy this time of year (✿◠‿◠) it is very hard see or hear an individual person's whereabouts (^人^)"

AND ALSO. PAIMON BEING ELECTED AS THE "MOST DISTINGUISHED GUEST." PAIMON YOU GOT IN THE WAY OF MY DERANGED SELF-DELUSIONMENT MANY TIMES THIS LANTERN RITE BUT THAT WAS PRETTY FUNNY. i thought it was interesting how no one nominated venti. like i was kind of expecting xiao to do it (but ofc he nominates traveler) which is fair honestly, n then i was like "IS LUMINE GONNA NOMINATE VENTI????" but then she nominated paimon n paimon was like "wait... me?????" n it was just EXACTLY like a bunch of adults telling the little kid they are the most specialest ever n they should have the honor of doing The Thing. as that little kid growing up, i know the feeling very well lol

there are other bits i'm just,,, rotating around in my mind, like venti and kazuha hanging out on the alcor, the way xiao goes "i can't taste the difference in xiangling's special almond tofu" when you go visit him afterwards, ALL THE GANQING THAT HAPPENED IN THE MAIN STORY I'M SO HAPPY FOR THEM I'M SO HAPPY FOR ME I WON VERY HARD THIS LANTERN RITE, n like,,, yeah!!!!